AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It’s okay,” she interrupted me, gently taking hold of my forearm. “I just wanted to ask you, because I’d like it if you came, but don’t come along just to do me a favour, okay?” She gave me an honest, albeit a little sad, smile.
“No, what I meant to say was that I don’t think they’d want me there, would they? I don’t even know Mason’s brothers.”
“But you know me and Mace, and I’d be super stoked if you came along. Three Pookas in one place, that’s a lot. Even for me.”
The idea of Kat surrounded by three inhumanly beautiful tricksters made me uneasy. “Pookas? So they’re shifters?”
“Yep, and let me tell you, they can stomach a lot more than me. I could use someone on my team.”
Oh Kat, if you ever find out that I’m fucking lost when you’re smiling at me like that…
“Okay, but only if you’re sure they’re all right with having me there.”
She nodded excitedly. “One hundred percent.” With another dazzling smile, she jumped to her feet and asked me to meet her at eight thirty so we could share a cab to the bar.
“Enjoy your day, I gotta dash. I have a meeting with a potential new client. See you later.” Then she threw an arm around my neck, squeezing me quickly before leaving the room in a hurry.
“Good luck,” I called after her and heard a faint 'Thanks!' before the door snapped shut.
***
I had a busy day of meetings with suppliers, going over the new designs with Hugh, and a phone call to my mum. We hadn’t talked properly in weeks. It was long overdue.
“Hi maa, how are you?”
“Oh purnava, it’s good to hear your voice.” Maa’s voice choking on the endearment, meaning brightness inBengali, and her nickname for me ever since I’d been a little boy made me tear up.
“It’s good to hear your voice, too. I’m sorry for not calling or coming to see you for so long, maa.”
She was crying quietly into her smartphone. “You are busy, Raja. I know that.”
“I shouldn’t be too busy for my maa, I’m sorry.”
“It’s all right, my sweet baby boy.” Leave it to a mother to have a whole assortment of pet names. Brightness, king, sweet baby boy.
“Maa, there is something I need to tell you–”
“You’re getting married?” She sounded shocked and I knew my mother, who always walked around when she was on the phone, had just sat down and clutched her chest.
“No, not anytime soon. I moved out of Abbie’s flat. I currently live with a roommate.” I left out the fact that my roommate was a beautiful human woman. Lew would tell her soon enough.
My mother thanked God Kama.
“Finally, Raja, oh I’m so happy to hear that.”
Gee, thanks maa.But I knew she was right and that she’d worried for me.
She asked me about the business, told me excitedly about the new babies and endeavours of our family back in India, and made me promise to visit her soon.
“I will, maa. I love you.”
Another choked sob rang out of the receiver. “I love you, too, Raja.”
Well, one call down. One to go.
Lewis picked up on the third ring. “Hey little bro,” he greeted me over the humming of the brewing kettles in the background. “Be right back.”
The noises faded away, and then Lew was on the phone again.
